Michigan Football: Twelve Wondrous Wolverines — #12 — Bob Ufer — Broadcaster and Athlete
Posted at 6:45am — 6/10/2013
Michigan Football: Twelve Wondrous Wolverines — #12 — Bob Ufer — Broadcaster and Athlete
The Twelfth Wonderful Wolverine is known to millions of Michigan football followers and many others as well. He is known to those who have seen decades of Michigan football and also to many who have just started the Wolverine venture.
His name is Bob Ufer and few, if any, have contributed more to enjoying Michigan football over several decades than Bob.
Bob Ufer was unique and a true treasure within the Michigan community. He certainly was an individualist, a trait that is rapidly evaporating in today’s society. His style was as unique as his personality.
The question sometimes is brought up could Bob Ufer survive in today’s politically correct and ultra-sensitive society? We on this site choose to ignore the hypothetical and look at the substance of the man and his accomplishments.
Unlike many announcers of today’s era that are hired as golden voices and make an attempt to assimilate home cooking into the broadcast, Bob Ufer was homegrown and Wolverine proud from the start. And he cared less if the label “homer” was attached to his name. In fact, one may say such a designation was a badge of honor for Mr. Ufer.
Bob Ufer came to Michigan from Pennsylvania and was an outstanding track athlete, setting records and winning titles in the 440. He also actually played a little freshman football.
Why Robert Frost Ufer as one of the elite Twelve Wondrous Wolverines, a few may ask? He simply fits the criteria to a tee. His longevity as an announcer spanned from 1945 to 1981. The Ufer effect, due to his passion, loyalty, and individualism is undeniable. He went beyond a normal broadcast, far beyond. His presentations were almost cult-like, and that was fine, better than fine actually.
Bob Ufer remains well known for many reasons, certainly not the least of which were the legendary Uferisms that remain as a large part of Michigan lore to this day. Those wanting to hear and see some of these Uferisms can view YouTube here or go to the Bob Ufer site to purchase CD’s.
One bittersweet moment Mr. Ufer will be remembered for was his last game broadcasting, when he neared the end of his battle with cancer. As the band spelled out UFER, Bob was given the microphone and gave his last impassioned speech on behalf on the maize and blue in public. He ended with leading a chorus of “The Victors.” This poignant moment will always hold a lofty place in Michigan lore.
Ufer spoke of the joy of college football like no other. As the inventor of the phrase “cotton pickin maize and blue heart,” he may have owned the biggest heart of all. He summed up how important Meeechigan football was to him by the following: “Michigan football is a religion and Saturday’s the holy day of obligation.” Here you can hear his own voice here why he called Michigan … Meeechigan.
Who else had General Patton’s horn? No one else is the obvious answer. Honking that horn after a Meechigan score was the ultimate enjoyment for Bob Ufer. Can listen to Bob’s own voice here.
His Uferism “He went down that sideline like a penguin with a hot herring in his cummerbund (or cumberbund)” still amazes me to this day as one of the most unpredictable lines in human history. Never having worn a tuxedo, the author had absolutely no idea what Mr. Ufer was referring to in his dialogue.
Bob’s Billy Taylor Call here.
Woody Hayes was referred to as Dr. StrangeHayes in some Uferisms and the famous poem Ufer wrote titled “Burying Woody Hayes.”
“They came to bury Michigan, all wrapped in Maize and Blue.
The words were said, the prayers were read and everybody cried.
But when they closed the coffin, there was someone else inside!
The Bucks came to bury the Wolverines, but Michigan wasn’t dead!
And when the game was over, it was someone else instead!
Twenty-two Michigan Wolverines put on the gloves of grey,
And as Revelli played ‘The Victors,” they laid Woody Hayes away!”
Michigan won that game and can listen to Bob’s own voice here.
His most famous Uferism lasted several minutes. It is, of course, the famous pass from Johnny Wangler to Anthony Carter against Indiana. This three-minute plus piece of excitement will be played over and over as long as college football exists. A chopped up transcript from Wikipedia is stated below:
“Under center is Wangler at the 45, he goes back. He’s looking for a receiver. He throws downfield to Carter. Carter has it. [unintelligible screaming] Carter scores. . . . I have never seen anything like this in all my 40 years of covering Michigan football. . . . I hope you can hear me – because I’ve never been so happy in all my cotton-picking 59 years! . . . Johnny Wangler to Anthony Carter will be heard until another 100 years of Michigan football is played! . . . Meeeshigan wins, 27 to 21. They aren’t even going to try the extra point. Who cares? Who gives a damn?” Can watch it on YouTube here or from Bob’s own site here.
His speeches become legendary, including perhaps his best speech preparing the Wolverines in Pasadena for their first Rose Bowl win for Coach Schembechler in 1981.
Here are some descriptive words that fit Robert Frost Ufer: unique, dedicated, exuberant, energetic, genuine, optimistic, and long lasting.
Bob Ufer put a massive stamp on Michigan football, one that will be like granite. His career was long and legendary; it is a true shame that it did not continue for another decade or two. He will forever be a Michigan legend, and rightly so.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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